Ratalu Gnocchi with Rosemary Pesto (V, NSF)

Ratalu also known as Kand, Ube, or Purple Yam is a very nourishing root vegetable in Ayurveda. 

In my last post, I briefly mentioned the role of the Dhatus or the 7 tissues of the body. In order to understand the human body from an Ayurvedic standpoint, it’s necessary to understand these Dhatus. Dhatus make up the body, they provide the body with shape, structure, and hold it in position. Just as the Doshas are the functions and energies within the body, the Dhatus are the substance on which these energies work. 

There are seven Dhatus and each one has it’s own function.

1. Rasa Dhatu (plasma/lymph)
2. Rakta Dhatu (blood)
3. Mamsa Dhatu (muscle)
4. Medha Dhatu (fat)
5. Asthi Dhatu (bone)
6. Majja Dhatu (nervous system)
7. Sukra Dhatu (reproductive system)
   

We may wonder why food (ahar) is one of the main pillars of Ayurveda. Ayurveda offers a beautiful explanation for this. From the moment we bite into food, our body begins processing it but this process takes a total of 36 days to complete. So the creation of Ojas or the vital energy that controls our immunity, strength, and mental happiness does not happen for 36 days after we eat that food. At the end of the 36 days is when that food finally nourishes our health and Ojas is created. 

We’re all after Ojas, it’s that energy, that glow, and that sparkle in the eyes that we see in young children. But as we age, the Ojas progressively declines. One way to increase Ojas is by consuming Ojas increasing foods. 

Not only does it take 36 days from the moment we ate the food to create Ojas but the food we ate over a month ago is still effecting our body 36 days later. That’s how important the food we eat and the drinks we consume are. 

So after we eat a bagel, let’s say, the nutrition from that bagel needs to go through each of the seven tissues to finally make it to tissue number 7 and ultimately create Ojas. Each tissue provides the “raw material” to nourish the next tissue. So the plasma is nourished first and then provides what is needed to nourish the blood which is turn provides what is needed to nourish the muscles and so forth. 

Many of the foods we consume lack nutrition and that combined with poor digestion, we don’t make it too far up the ladder. So that bagel for example, will likely not make it past Rasa Dhatu or creating some plasma or lymph, let alone nourishing the nervous system, reproductive system, or create Ojas.

This is the typical cycle:

Days 1 to 5: blood plasma and lymphatic fluid are formed
Days 6 to 10: new red blood cells are formed
Days 11 to 15: muscle tissue is created
Days 16 to 20: fat tissue is nourished
Days 21 to 25: bones are strengthened 
Days 26 to 30: nerves are nourished
Days 31 to 35: creation of reproductive fluids, sperm, egg
Day 36: formation of Ojas

So in Ayurveda, the foods we consume are given utmost importance as they directly lead to the creation of our life energy. When we eat foods that are naturally sweet, fresh, unctuous, all seven of our dhatus are nourished and though it takes over a month, you will notice a difference in your energy levels and overall health. 

These Ojas forming foods include ghee, milk, almonds, and dates. Certain foods like sesame seeds nourish up to the nervous system and others like certain proteins up to muscle creation. When certain fresh fruit and vegetables are cooked in healthy fats, they also work their way up to the Sukra Dhatu. 

Such is this not so pretty looking vegetable called Ratalu. Ratalu acts as an aphrodisiac, is anti-aging, leads to cell rejuvenation, and is wonderful for building, nourishment, and growth. It’s a wonderful vegetable to give to children who are naturally in the building and growing phase of their lives.

It’s hard to find this vegetable in main stream grocery stores in the United States but I was lucky enough to find it at our local HMart and at our local Indian grocery store as of the beginning of Fall. Typically you can find it in the freezer section of the Indian grocery store year round but Fall/Winter time is the best time to have it. 

You want to make sure your ratalu is properly cooked by steaming, boiling, or roasting prior to consuming it as it can be heavy to digest and also cause throat irritation if consumed raw or undercooked.

This recipe was kind of created spontaneously because I wanted to make something fun for the kids that I knew they would enjoy, and they love sweet potato gnocchi (I use the same recipe just with sweet potatoes) so I gave this a try with ratalu. Of course, it worked wonderfully and they loved it! We are huge pesto fans in our home so I’m always experimenting with new types of pesto recipes, sharing my recipe for rosemary pesto here!

Gnocchi is also always a great homemade alternative to store bought pastas. 

I think I’ll be making this again for Valentine’s day. I hope you give this easy recipe a try!

Namaste.